After seeing the ravaged state of my sister's cassava farm the other day, I couldn't help but ask myself: why are people so heartless?
The farm, which had been her pride and joy - because of its good yields, had about 70% of the cassava stolen by unknown persons.
She couldn't stop talking about the farm's good yield, and how the cassava, after harvesting and processed into garri, would feed them in a couple of months to come. But now that someone had raided the farm, carting away her food source, she was at loss on what to do.
It's really heartbreaking to see people steal from others' farms without considering the hard work and resources invested. Imagine pouring out your heart, sweat, and resources into cultivating crops and tending them, only for others to reap where they didn't sow. If this isn't the height of wickedness, I wonder what is. In fact, those responsible might even be capable of more harm if given the opportunity.
And here's the irony, these individuals are heartless and intentional about their acts - no empathy or regard for the farmer's efforts. But when caught, they often plead for mercy, attributing their actions to the devil or claiming they were driven by hunger. Are you kidding me?
While it's true that many are struggling, does that justify stealing someone else' hard earned farm produce? Gosh! Whatever happened to asking for help instead of resorting to theft? I think that's honorable enough. But they won't, because they view begging as a shameful act. Then I ask, is stealing any better?
At this age and time, it's rather disturbing to see that farm produce theft is still a rampant issue here in my region. I recall a similar incident shared by a colleague, where a hired farmhand stole from her farm. The woman, familiar with the farm, would sneak in and harvest crops without arousing suspicion.
When she was caught, she refused confessing to the crime at first. It was only after my colleague left the scene that she finally did, revealing a disturbing audacity. Her reason for stealing:
She knew my colleague's kind heart would easily forgive her, if she finds out.
Imagine the audacity! Stealing from someone and still showing no remorse. My colleague said she couldn't believe her ears when she heard that. She was surprised that the hired farmhand, whom she treats just like a sister and even gift things at will, would play on her kindness. What a manipulative being.
This is a harsh reminder that it's often those who know us best who can stab us in the back.
Just as the woman said, my colleague decided to let the matter go. However, she severed all ties with her, ensuring that they no longer have any interactions again.
Good riddance to bad rubbish. Lol.
Just as my colleague discovered that the thief was a hired farmhand, my sister also shares the same suspicion, likewise myself. Unfortunately, catching the culprit now seems impossible because they won't be going back to the farm again. Not after we managed to harvest all the cassava from the small portion that they left. If only they were caught, I'd surely tell them a piece of my mind. Lol.
People really need to understand that farm produce theft is a grievous crime - against the farm owner and the the farmland itself. They seem to forget that what goes around comes around, and that the universe never forgets. It keeps tabs on every of our of our actions. Well, karma is very much real, and these perpetrators would surely face the consequences for their actions, sooner or later. There's no two ways about it.
Don't forget that every kpai, would result in more kpai kpai. Hehehe.
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